October 2016 Blog Posts (16)

Hey, I like training at a high level. At 50 years old, I like to train myself with a lot of energy, include dynamic elements, and have a plan for my own training during the year. Its been very beneficial to see training as experiential rather than to see it from a distant shore. For the past number of years, my own training circle has included other exercise physiologists and fitness-seekers. For me this has been good. It has furthered the notion to keep asking…

In terms of coaching performance development within the athletic or tactical arenas, monitoring "production" in the training environment is crucial, is vital, is absolutely essential. Through the eyes of a "strength" coach, production is usually seen as strength. Basically, how much can you lift and can you lift within schemes that promote absolute strength during the year. It is often further quantified by lifts that involve "performing" powerful or explosive…

In terms of coaching performance development within the athletic or tactical arenas, monitoring "production" in the training environment is crucial, is vital, is absolutely essential. Through the eyes of a "strength" coach, production is usually seen as strength. Basically, how much can you lift and can you lift within schemes that promote absolute strength during the year. It is often further quantified by lifts that involve "performing" powerful or explosive…

We need to get away from reductionist thinking, stop breaking movement and exercise into its smallest parts and the focus on those parts in hopes of producing a moving flowing working whole, it won’t happen. It will only happen if there is a holistic approach, an approach that focuses on the big picture and the connections. In many respects this is where sport science has failed us. In the rush to publish and the desire to show statistical significance we have become so reductionist in…

My concepts of training are based on study of past training methods, sports science research, best practice, and practical experience working with all levels of athlete. When developing a training system you learn through deliberate practice, through trial and error, you learn in the trenches, not just in a book, a classroom or a laboratory. You learn from your mistakes and your successes. That is where you start, but that is just a…

Over the years, I've worked in a lot of different settings, private facility, pro sports, military, team sports, and medical fitness teaching and facilitating strength, conditioning, and performance training. In retrospect, what is the real driving force for helping bring about positive change in those I train?

I think coaching science is probably the number one factor. This is a term we hear little about in our field, but…

Much of what I stand for is not new, we already know it, it has worked in the past in a myriad of environments but has been rejected as old fashioned, not high tech, not scientific. We have abandoned proven methods in the name of progress. Certainly in every field of endeavor everything old is new again, but because of our society’s rejection of the past we have not studied the coaches who paved the way for us. It is trite to say that we stand on the shoulder of giants but without coaches…

Athletic development is about optimizing training to enhance performance in the competitive arena. The basic concepts are quite simple. Simplicity yields complexity; you don’t have to try to make it complicated. That is why being a generalist is so important; it will allow you to make relationships that the specialist because of their narrower vision will not see. Sophisticated technology and computer algorithms are part of a much bigger picture. Over reliance on tools and technology will…

I have a passionate belief in defining the field of athletic development. I have consistently questioned much of what passes as conventional wisdom in regards to training and rehab and I ask you to do the same. Think and question. I am not a sport scientist, physical therapist, ATC, a doctor, or a sport psychologist; I am a coach and educator. As a coach I have to travel in all those worlds. Because of my experience in those worlds I learned to use conventional wisdom as a starting…

Whip...Is it all just hype?…

Saginaw Valley State University Strength and Conditioning, an NCAA Division II institution, is seeking two full-time UNPAID interns for the Spring 2017 semester. Full-time Interns must possess a strong work ethic, a desire to excel in the field of strength and conditioning and have a strong strength training background. Duties include, but are not limited to: assisting the Strength and Conditioning staff in developing and administering all phases of speed, strength and conditioning programs…

From Playing Youth Hockey To Becoming An Olympic Super G Coach To Being The Performance Director For Cirque du Soleil

Randomly throwing together a bunch of exercises & running willy nilly about with no structure, intent or purpose is just work. Anyone can do work. You can try to legitimize by giving it cute names, but it is essentially garbage training. You can call it GPP but it is just getting them tired and getting tired is not training. Training is work with Intent and purpose. I banished the term GPP years ago in favor of…

Growing up in California in the late 1950’s and early 60’s Vin Scully was your steady companion on warm summer nights. There was nothing better than listening to Vin Scully on a little transistor radio describe the excellence of Sandy Koufax pitching or the daring of Maury…